Slack adjuster



Jan. 69

W. H. SAUVAGE sLAcK ADJUSTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 25, 1921 u (JHhllfoff 777 d Jan, 6s 1925.

W. H. SAUVAGE sLAcK ADJUSTER Filed Nov. 25, 1921 Ill/Ill,

VII/llll A 4 Sheets-Sheet Jan. 6, 1925 1,522,274 w. H. SAUVAGE SLACK ADJUSTER Filed Nov. -25, 1921 4 sheets-sheet s Jan, 6, 1925.

W. H. SAUVAGE SLACK ADJUS TER Filed NOV. 25 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 @Hozneq CII WILLIAM H. SAUVAGE, OF NEW YORK, N.

a 'El i rszazm r i c n.

Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

GOULD- CGUPLER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

SLACK ADJUSTER.

Application filed November 25, 1921. Serial No. 517,629.

State of New York, have invented certainl new and useful Improvements in Slack Adjusters, of which the following is a specifical tion.

rIhis invention relates to improvements in slack adjusters and more particularly `to automatic slack adjusters adapted to be used with the brake rigging of railway vehicles of all kinds. lVhile the construction will be hereinafter described with relation to its several forms as applied to the truck brake rigging of passengers, freight cars, locomotive tenders and pony trucks, it is, of course, to -be understood that without material modification the invention is applicable to the truck brake rigging of other cars, as wellas to the foundation brake rigging beneath the car body and between the end trucks.

One of the objects'of the present invention is to provide a simple and practical slack adjuster, particularly adapted for use in connection with a truck brake rigging of positive and as one which will at all times be reliable and eificient in use and operation.

A further object is to provide a practical slack adjuster adapted to insure uniform brake shoe clearancel and uniform and positive travel or movement of the source of power used in applying the brakes.

A further object is to provide an improved slack adjuster which may be easily, quickly, and positively manipulated and adjusted for replacing worn brake shoes and one which will automatically assume properly adjusted position on the first application o-f the brakes after replacement of parts.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out in connection with the accompanying sheets of drawings showing several of the various possible modifications and applications of the invention to truck brake rigging of various types.

In these drawings, wherein Isimilar reference characters indicate corresponding parts,

Figure 1 is a plan view'showing vsuch parts of the slack adjuster and associated brake rigging as are necessary to understand the invention;

durable construction, as well Figure 2 is an end elevational view of certain parts shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevational view showing the modified form of slack adjuster as applied to the lower ends of the live and dead levers of a four-wheel truck;

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the levers inclined oppositely at an angle of 40J as those shown in Figure 3, thereby disclosing the slack adjuster in a correspondingly turned position;

Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to Figures 3 and 4, respectively, showing a slack adjuster of similar type connecting the central parts of the live and dead levers;

Figure 7 is an end view of the part shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view of the take up and holding housings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and more particularly to Figure 1, there is indicated at 10 two brake beams of an ordinary four-wheeled truck which are adapted to move apart or away from each other on application of the brakes. These brake beams are eachv provided near their central parts with struts 11 in which are pivoted at 12 a dead lever' 13 and a live lever 14. The

dead lever can be secured at 15 toany relatively fixed part of the truck or rear cylinder lever, as desired, while power is applied to the point 16 moving in the direction of the arrow, to apply the brakes, the levers being supported in suitable guides17, one

of which is provided with a stop 18 for the dead lever.

Connecting the central parts of the live and dead lever is a two-part telescopic push rod, the barrel part 2O being pivoted at 21 to the live lever, while the rod part 22 is pivoted at 23 to the dead lever. The tubular part is provided with a housing 24 containing a plurality of holding means, such as the customary holding dogs 25 which coact with the rod member 22 to prevent a normal inward movement thereof on application of the brakes. These dogs are held in canted or biting position, by means of a coiled spring 26 acting between lan end wall 27 of the housing and the adjacent dog 25. Loosely mounted upon the rod 22 is a second housing 28 containing preferably a single dog 80, although others may `be employed if desired, which dog is normally held in canted position by means of a coiled the live lever. This nut isadapted to coact with a lug 54 projecting from the housing 28, which is substantially the same, as is also the housing 24, as the housingsk previously described in connection with Figure 1, these housings being connected by the slotted construction 47 previously described. The mechanism shown in Figures land 6 is also substantially the same as that above described. Here the push rod 20-22 operates between the central parts, the live and dead levers 13 and 14, adjusting rod 52 being substantially as that shown in Figure 3, and provided with a nut 51 for the lost motion connection with the lug 54 extending from the housing 28.

In Figure 8, there is shown a detailed sectional view of a slightly different form of release mechanism. Obviously this release mechanism can be made in a number ot different ways, as, for-instance, by putting ears or guide lugs 61 in the pick up box 28 and barrel housing 24, and in extending the dogs as shown instead ot' as in Figure 1. Thus, by giving the rod 62 a quarter turn lugs 63 and 64 will enter behind the dogs in the pick up boX and with a slight pull towards the left unlock the same. Normally the lugs 63 and 64 stand out of the path of travel of the dogs.

It will be seen tro-1n the above that all of these several types of slack adjusters work in substantially the same way and its application has wide flexibility in construction, application and uses. The invention is eX- ceedingly simple in practical 'torm and may short, the invention is believed to tully ac-v complish among others all 'of the objects and advantages herein set Jforth. f

I claim:

1. In a slack adjuster, in combination, a live and a dead lever, a telescopic push rod connecting said levers, a permanent take up and holding means associating` with said parts, a temporary take up and holding means associated with one oft said parts, land an adjusting rod formed ot two parts having a lost motion connection between said parts connectinO' said latter means with said live lever. l

2. In a slack adjuster, in combination, a live and a deadl lever, a telescopic push rod connecting said levers, a. permanent take up and holding means associated with said parts, a temporary take up and holding` means associated with one ot saidparts, and an adjusting rod Comprising a plurality ot' parts trunnioned to said Llast mentioned means at one end and having a lost motion connection between said parts and connected at its opposite end with said live lever.

8. In a slack adjuster, in combination, a live and a dead lever, a telescopic push rod connecting said levers, a permanent take up and holding means associated with said parts, Ya temporary take up and holding means associated with one ot said parts, adjusting rod comprising a plurality ot parts having a lost motion connection between said parts interposed between said latter means and one ot' said levers, said take up and holding means each comprisf ing a housing, a plurality of holding dogs, and a compression spring acting between said housings.

4. In a slack adjuster, in combination, a live and a dead lever, a telescopic push rod connecting said levers, a permanent take up and holding means associated with said parts, a temporary take up and holding means associated with one vot' said parts, an adjusting rod interposed between said latter means and one oit said levers, said take up and holding means each comprising a housing, a plurality of holding dogs, and a compression spring acting between said housings, said housings having a lost motion con-` nection whereby one may be movedrelatively to the other lin the direction oit the `axis of the push rod.

In a slack adjuster, in. combination, a live and a dead lever, a two part telescopic push rod connecting'said parts, a housing formed on the tubular part of the push rod, a plurality of holding devices within said housing,-a second housing mounted on the barrel part of said push rod, said housings havinga connection therebetween permitting relative longitudinal movement therebetween, a holding means within said housing, and means whereby said second housing is moved along the barrel portion of said push rod on excess travel, and changes the effective length of said push rod after excess travel on release of the brakes and resilient means positioned between said yhousings adapted to restore the same to normal posi;l tion after excess travel of the brakes.

6. In a slack adjuster, in combination, a live and a dead lever, a two part telescopic push rod connecting said parts, a Vhousing' formed on the tubular part of the push rod.`- a plurality oft holding devices within `said housing, a second housing mounted `on the barrel part of said push rod, a holding'ineans within said housing, means whereby saidv second housing is moved along the barrel portionot said push rod on excess travel, and changes the effective length of said push rod after excess travel on release ofthe brakes,

and an adjusting rod comprising aplurality ot parts having a lost motion connection between said parts connecting said last mentioned housing and the live lever for moving said housing on excess travel.

7. 1n a slack adjuster, in combination, alive and a dead lever, a two part telescopic push rod connecting said parts, a housing formed on the tubular part ot the push rod, a plurality of holding devices within said housing, a second housing having an extensible connection with said jfirst housing and mounted on the barrel part of said push rod, a holding means within said housing, means whereby said second housing is moved along the barrel portion 'of said push rod on excess travel and changes the effective length of said pushv rod after excess travel on release or' the brakes, and a spring acting between said housings and normally maintaining them a predetermined distance apart.

S. In a slack adjuster, in combination, live and dead levers, a two part telescopic push rod connecting said parts, a housing formed on the tubular part ot' the push rod, a plurality or' holding devices Ywithin said housing, a second housing mounted on the barrel part of said push rod, a holding means within said housing, means whereby said second housing is moved along the barrel portion or said push rod on excess travel and changes the effective length or said push rod after excess travel on release oit the brakes, a spring acting between said housings and normally maintaining them a predetermined distance apart, and means connecting said housingsadapted to keep them in alignment but permitting relative longi-r tudinal movement.

9. In a. slack adjuster, in combination, a live and a dead lever, a two part telescopic push rod connecting said parts, a housing formed on the tubular part of the push rod, a plurality or .holding devicespwithin said housing, a second housing mounted on the barrel part or said push rod, a holding means within said housing, means whereby said second housing is moved along the barrel portion of said push rod on excess travel and changes the elilective length of said push rod after excess travel on release o't` the brakes, a spring acting between said housings and normally maintaining them a predetermined distance apart, means connecting said housings adapted to keep them inalignment, but permitting relative longitudinal movement, and a single means adapted to V release the holding means within said housings.

10.111 a slack adjuster, in combination, a live vand a dead lever, a telescopic push rod connecting said levers, a housing formed vwith the outer part ot said telescopic push rod, a holding dog within saidvhousing, means normally holding said dogs Vin biting relation with respect to the other part of said push rod, a second housing having an extensible connection with said lirst housing and on the inner part of said push rod, a holding dog therein, and spring means acting between said housingsv adapted to aid in restoring the parts to normal position on excess travel and after the brakes are released.

ll. ln a slack adjuster, in combination, a live and a dead lever, a telescopic push rod connecting said levers, a housing formed with the outer part or said telescopic push rod, a holding dog within said housing, means normally holding said dogs in biting relation with respect to the other part oi" said push rod, a second housing on the inner part or' said push rod, a holdingv dog therein, spring means acting between said hous ings adapted to aid in restoring the parts to normal position on excess travel and after the brakes are released, and a single means adapted to move both of said holding dogs to a position at right angles to the inner part or' said push rod,`whereby said inner part may move 'freely in either direction.

l2. In a slack adjuster, in combination, a live and a dead lever, a telescopic push rod connecting said levers, a housing formed with the outer part of said telescopic push rod, a holding dog within said housing, means normally holding said dogs in biting relation with respect to the other part ot said push rod, a second housing on the inner part of said push rod, a holding dog therein. spring means acting between said housings adapted to aid in restoring the parts to normal position on excess travel and after the brakes are released, and a single means adapted to move both ot said holding d gs to a position at right angles to the inner part of said push rod, whereby the said innerI part may move `freely in either direction, and an adjusting rod connecting said housing on the inner part of said push rod with the live lever. Y

18. In a slack adjuster, in combination, a live and a dead lever, a telescopic push rod connecting said levers, a housing formed within the outer part of said telescopic push rod, a holding dog within said housing, means normally holding said dogs in biting relation with respect to the other part oi said push rod, asecond housing on the inner part of said push rod, alholding dog therein,spring means acting between saidA housings adapted to aid in restoring the parts to normal po sition on excess travel and after the brakes are released, a single means adapted to move both of said holding dogs to a` position at right angles tothe inner part of said push rod, whereby the said inner part may move freely in either direction, an adjusting rod connecting said housing on the inner part or said push rod with the live lever, said push rod being formed in two parts having a lost motion connection thereby to insure brake shoe clearance. j

14. In a slack adjuster, in combination, a live lever, a dead lever, a two-part telescopic push rod, a housing vformed on the outer part of said push rod, a second housing mounted on the inner part of said push rod, holding means in both housings and a single means for ieleasing both of said holding means.

15. In a slack adjuster, in combination, a live lever, a dead lever, a two part telescopic push rod, a housing formed on the outer part of said push rod, a second housing mounted on the inner part of said push rod, holding means in both housings, a single means Yit'or releasing both of said holding means, a compression spring acting between said housings adapted to move said housing on the inner part of said push rod to normal position when the brakes are released if excess travel is taking place, and an adjustable adjusting rod interposed between one of said levers and said housing on the inner part of said push rod. y

16. In a slack adjuster, in combination, a live lever, a dead lever, a two part telescopic push rod, a housing formed en the outer part of said push rod, a second housing mounted on the inner part of said push rod, holding means in both housings, a single means :tor releasing both or' said holding means, a compression spring acting between said housings adapted to move said housing on the inner part of said push rod to normal position when the brakes are released it excess travel is taking place, and an adjustable adjusting rod interposedv betwen one of said levers and said housing on the inner part of said push rod, said adjusting rod being formed in two parts with a lost motion connection therebetween adapted to insure brake shoe clearance.

17. In a slack adjuster, in combination, brake beams, struts mounted thereon, live and dead levers carried by said struts, a push rod connecting said levers, and means 'for limiting the movement of one of said levers. l

18. In a slack adjuster, in combination, brake beams, struts mounted thereon, guides mounted on said brake-beams, live and dead levers carried by said struts, a. push rod connecting said levers, and means comprising a bolt on one of the guides for limiting the movement of the dead lever.

19. In a slack adjuster, in combination,

brake beams,'struts mounted thereon, guides mounted on said brake-beams, live and dead levers carried by said struts, a pushrod con- 4necting said levers, means comprising ya bolt on one of the guides for limiting the movement of the dead lever, and a slack adjuster mechanism interposed' between the live and dead levers. y

20. In a slack adjuster, in combination, brake beams, struts mounted thereon, live and dead levers carried by said struts, a push rod connecting said levers,.means comprising a bolt on one ofthe struts for limiting the movement of the dead lever, and a slack adjuster mechanism interposed "between the live and dead levers, said slackr adjuster means comprising a two part telescopic push rod, and an adjust-ing rod interposed between one of said levers and one of the parts of said push rod. v

21. In a slack ad'uster, in combination, brake beams, struts mounted thereon, live and dead levers carried by said struts, a push rod connecting said levers, means comprising a bolt on one of the struts Jfor limiting the movement of the dead lever, a slack adjuster mechanism interposed between the live and dead levers, said slack adjuster means comprising a two-part telescopic push rod, and an adjusting rod interposed between one of said levers and one oi' the parts of said push rod, said holding means comprising permanent take up and holding means acting between the inner and outer part of said push rod and temporary take up and holding means directly acting upon the inner part of said push rod.

422. In a slack adjuster, in combination, brake beams, struts mounted thereon, live and dead levers carried by said struts, a push rod connecting said levers, means comprising a bolt on one of the struts for limiting the movement of the' dead lever, a

`slack adjuster mechanism interposed between the live and dead levers, said slack adjuster means comprising a two part telescopic push rod, an adjusting rod interposed,

between one of said levers and one of the parts of said push rod, said holding means comprising permanent take up and holding means acting between the inner and outer parts of said push rod and temporary take up and holding means directly acting upon the inner part of said push rod, and means for releasing said holding means when it is desired to replace worn brake shoes.

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature.

WILLIAM H. SAUVAGE. 

